There's never been a better time...

[mono one]

I've been saying for two or three years now that the opportunities for businesses to have a press release published in their local newspaper has never been greater.
And here's the proof.

http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2...y-apologises-after-printing-april-1-pr-spoof/

It's a press release sent out as a clear April Fool's spoof which was taken as true by the Eastern Daily Press and printed as a genuine business page lead eight days late.

For years local newspapers have cutting costs and editorial staff, making sub-editors redundant to the extent that on many papers reporters write straight on to the page without any decent checks being made.

How does this help businesses? Well, a well thought-out and well-written press release will be welcomed by the overworked business reporter or news editor with open arms. It's less likely to be re-written and so there's more chance you'll get your message across.

Many businesses have more to shout about than they realise. It's free publicity. So why not take ten minutes sometime to think about what your business has done or is doing in the future and raise your profile? Just be careful with those spoof stories, though....

 

[Remys]

I love utilizing a press release option. They work most of the time from what I recall. The press release is obviously best in a big time paper though, otherwise I bet it wont work that good.

 

[webgeek]

Press releases are so rarely picked up because they're so rarely consumed.

Press contacts want content, whether it's sponsored, advertorial, free column contribution, or otherwise, in exchange for which they can feature a company.

Sorry, but PR and SEO content marketing have become so closely related to one another that they're virtually indistinguishible.

Catching the eye of a high influence media channel through a press release is a longer long shot than ever. Being remarkable, being engaged and sharing the conversation, in their channel, is a great way to impress and gain reciprocation.